Nat'l Summer Learning Day This Week

From OR Ask: When students return to school in September, they will no doubt talk about what they did over summer vacation. While summer vacation may seem like a benevolent enough idea, it turns out that time away from school causes more harm than good for children in poverty with little access to educational summer programs. More than 100 years of research supports a growing concern for the apparent loss of learning between the last day of school in June and the first day of school in September. Summer Slide, also known as summer learning loss, or summer setback, is a phenomenon experienced by most students, but more significantly by those in disadvantaged populations throughout the country.

To increase the level of awareness, National Summer Learning Day will be observed on July 12, 2018. The National Summer Learning Association describes it as a “national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer - so all students start the school year strong, and thrive all year long.” Locally, Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed July 12 Summer Learning Day in Oregon, stating, “Summer learning loss is a significant contributor to the achievement gap.” The proclamation also states, “Summer learning is a critical component of our collective effort to ensure all students graduate from high school prepared for college, careers, and life.”

JULY 11 IN BEAVERTON

This week, stakeholders will meet to gain a deeper understanding of how to improve access to expanded learning opportunities (ELO) and support equitable academic achievement for Oregon youth. On Wednesday, July 11, the Joint Interim Committee on Student Success, a bipartisan group of legislators, headed by co-chairs Rep. Barbara Smith Warner and Sen. Arnie Roblan, will continue on their summer schedule of visits. This time, they head to Washington County to visit schools, meet with business and community leaders, and hear public testimony about the issues facing families with school-age children. “As a committee, one of our key tasks is to see firsthand what’s working in successful schools and determine how we can duplicate their success in schools across Oregon,” said Roblan in a recent news release. The goal of the visits, scheduled to take place through September, is to help formulate a plan to improve public education and provide adequate funding for schools. Beth Unverzagt, executive director of OregonASK, has worked closely with Rep. Smith Warner to provide a thorough background and understanding of the existing opportunities and obstacles we face in our state. Unverzagt has vast experience on the national forefront of out-of-school and a broad knowledge of best practices from around the country.

In 2016, Unverzagt received the White House Champions of Change Award for her work in summer learning. “With regard to summer programs that provide critical activity, food, and engagement for children of families in poverty,” said Unverzagt, “the key to creating solutions to an endemic problem seems to be creative cooperation and partnership between program providers, school districts, service organizations and private companies.” OregonASK will offer testimony and appear with several of its partners during the public hearing on July 11. The meeting will run from 7 PM - 9 PM at the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy auditorium, 11375 Southwest Center St. in Beaverton. Representative Barbara Smith Warner, as co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education in Oregon, worked closely with OregonASK to produce the Smart Summer Report. Published in 2017, the report outlines the measurable success of programs around the state and advocating for further support by the state legislature to fund such programs.

OregonASK is Oregon’s afterschool network for the 50 State Mott Network. With funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the 50 State Mott Network builds public will and systems for afterschool and summer learning. In each of the 50 states, afterschool networks foster partnerships and policies to develop, support, and sustain high-quality opportunities for children and youth. Working in collaboration with public and private organizations and community members, OregonASK is committed to expanding the footprint of the public-private partnership around the state, and to supporting high-impact programs with measurable outcomes. For a complete list of initiatives, partners, and affiliations, visit www.oregonask.org.

Image via Mortensen Communications